Eastsiders, Any Good Ford Dealer Body Shops?
- Thread starter Bishop
- Start date
slickstang
Club Member
EVERYTHING
They are going to write the estimate with as many Jap parts as they can find
those parts don't fit worth a shit. WHATEVER you do DON'T go to one of their
Concierge shops they are required to follow their rules, you want a shop that will work for YOUR best interest not the insurance company's.
BTW I am the manager at Mike Savoie Chevrolet in Troy we repair ALL makes and models I would guarantee a perfect job and fight for you with Progressive to get OEM parts.
If interested call me at the shop
248-458-1621 or pm me
Carl
X2 with what Carl said. Progressive wants the repairs done as cheap as possible for THEM. They aren't going to lower your rates because you used one of there "preferred shops", so why should you save them any money.
I would also recommend seeing Carl. Even though it isn't a Ford dealer, he will make sure your GF's ride is repaired RIGHT. If you were on the Westside of course I'd recommend on of our two shops.
I would also recommend seeing Carl. Even though it isn't a Ford dealer, he will make sure your GF's ride is repaired RIGHT. If you were on the Westside of course I'd recommend on of our two shops.
Carl's shop did an awesome job on my TBSS. I use to be a paint quality tech for Roush, and I've spent the better part of my working life pointing out paint issues, and studying them.
I was amazed at how great the doors turned out on my SS. Looks factory, and I've never seen that out of a body shop!
I was amazed at how great the doors turned out on my SS. Looks factory, and I've never seen that out of a body shop!
FivePoint7z28
Club Member
Does this apply with all insurance companies? I was just hit last night also and need some paint and body work. I got AAA. Anything I should look out for?
ReiKo
New member
slickstang
Club Member
Systemax302
Forum Member
The customer (you) have the FINAL say in whatever shop your car is taken to and repaired at. INSIST with the guy at the shop writing the estimate, the adjuster, and your insurance guy your dealing w/ about the claim that you want OEM part. No used, refurbished, or aftermarket parts.
You can have your car repaired with ALL OEM parts if you make it clear that this is what you want. BUT if this pushes your repair cost into the "total" range which I believe is still 70% ACV (Actual Cash Value), then obviously if you need to keep the car or have it fixed your going to have to flex a little as far as OEM and aftermarket parts are concerned.
Swifster
Forum Member
<------- Insurance Claims Guy
How many miles are on this '08 Fusion. If the car has less than 12,000 miles, fight tooth and nail for OEM parts. EVERY policy ever written has a 'Like Kind and Quality' clause. Every insurance company under the sun uses this wording to put used or aftermarket parts on a car. Most companies will give you 12 & 12 for new OEM parts. Some companies (Allstate for one) will use aftermarket and used parts without a 12 & 12 (in other words, they'll do it to a car with 10 miles on it). State Farm will do the same thing with used parts.
I talked to a friend of mine who handled Progressive at the dealer level, and says they will usually give you the 12 & 12. If this car has 30K on it the first year, you'll get used or aftermarket. The best company for this is Auto-Owners, as they will give up to 36 & 36 depending on the condition of the car. AAA, as a club, will usually work with you, but when I was there it was 12 & 12. If you complain, the may work with you provided....
1) You have a clean claim record. If you have made a bunch of claims, don't expect them to give you a break. If you've been with them for 10 years and you've never filed a claim, they'll probably work with you...provided...
2) You're not that far out of the 12 & 12. With a clean record, maybe 24 & 24. If the car has a ton of mileage, don't expect a break.
Again, every company uses aftermarket and used parts. The insurance company controls the purse strings. No offense to Carl, but he really doesn't control anything, and neither does any shop. They will plead you case, but the decision belongs to the adjuster. Rule #1 to getting what you want is to not get pissed off and screaming at the adjuster. You will get no wear. Just work your way up the chain of command. Adjuster, supervisor, claims manager, etc. Sooner or later, they'll want to make it go away. But again, this will work to a point. If the car has a lot of mileage on it, don't expect a break. The thing that will be advised if they won't put new parts on is that you do have the right to pay the difference between new and used or aftermarket.
One word on Progressive. Take it to the shop of your choice. They will push their program, but I'll bet you'll never know who did the work. They ship it out and it comes back without you being involved. Two, their road staff has no real training or experience. When they get hired, they get two weeks with a laptop and then sent to the field. I'll bet they have a supervisor come out because the adjuster will have minimal authority for frame repair.
As for a shop, I have sent cars to Matthews-Hargraves(sp) and haven't had a problem. If you want a Ford dealer, I'd go to Milne Ford at Gratiot & Hall. Personally, I only went to Autometrics on 10 Mile Rd, between Van Dyke & Hoover. Tell Brian (the manager) that I (Tom Allen) directed you there and you will not be disappointed. Brian is also the VP of corporate Autometric so I guarantee the repairs will be perfect.
I'm going to watch the fight so I'll be out the rest of the night. If anyone has a question, I'll be back on in the morning.
How many miles are on this '08 Fusion. If the car has less than 12,000 miles, fight tooth and nail for OEM parts. EVERY policy ever written has a 'Like Kind and Quality' clause. Every insurance company under the sun uses this wording to put used or aftermarket parts on a car. Most companies will give you 12 & 12 for new OEM parts. Some companies (Allstate for one) will use aftermarket and used parts without a 12 & 12 (in other words, they'll do it to a car with 10 miles on it). State Farm will do the same thing with used parts.
I talked to a friend of mine who handled Progressive at the dealer level, and says they will usually give you the 12 & 12. If this car has 30K on it the first year, you'll get used or aftermarket. The best company for this is Auto-Owners, as they will give up to 36 & 36 depending on the condition of the car. AAA, as a club, will usually work with you, but when I was there it was 12 & 12. If you complain, the may work with you provided....
1) You have a clean claim record. If you have made a bunch of claims, don't expect them to give you a break. If you've been with them for 10 years and you've never filed a claim, they'll probably work with you...provided...
2) You're not that far out of the 12 & 12. With a clean record, maybe 24 & 24. If the car has a ton of mileage, don't expect a break.
Again, every company uses aftermarket and used parts. The insurance company controls the purse strings. No offense to Carl, but he really doesn't control anything, and neither does any shop. They will plead you case, but the decision belongs to the adjuster. Rule #1 to getting what you want is to not get pissed off and screaming at the adjuster. You will get no wear. Just work your way up the chain of command. Adjuster, supervisor, claims manager, etc. Sooner or later, they'll want to make it go away. But again, this will work to a point. If the car has a lot of mileage on it, don't expect a break. The thing that will be advised if they won't put new parts on is that you do have the right to pay the difference between new and used or aftermarket.
One word on Progressive. Take it to the shop of your choice. They will push their program, but I'll bet you'll never know who did the work. They ship it out and it comes back without you being involved. Two, their road staff has no real training or experience. When they get hired, they get two weeks with a laptop and then sent to the field. I'll bet they have a supervisor come out because the adjuster will have minimal authority for frame repair.
As for a shop, I have sent cars to Matthews-Hargraves(sp) and haven't had a problem. If you want a Ford dealer, I'd go to Milne Ford at Gratiot & Hall. Personally, I only went to Autometrics on 10 Mile Rd, between Van Dyke & Hoover. Tell Brian (the manager) that I (Tom Allen) directed you there and you will not be disappointed. Brian is also the VP of corporate Autometric so I guarantee the repairs will be perfect.
I'm going to watch the fight so I'll be out the rest of the night. If anyone has a question, I'll be back on in the morning.
slickstang
Club Member
Swifster
Forum Member
Not trying to offend anyone, but adjusters and appraisers have guidelines they have to follow. I get along great with a lot of shops, but it didn't change how I wrote my estimate. The guidelines are what they are. I did take (and still do) the condition of the car and it's age/mileage into account. If I think I'll be questioned on that decision, I'll call the inside adjuster and run it by them.
Now when I worked at AAA, I had a bit more freedom. We were told we could do whatever we wanted provided that we put it in writing in the computer and justify why we did what we did. I fixed total losses (per the customers request), occasionally padded a total loss settlement or replaced a damaged windshield when it wasn't a part of the loss. I was a sucker for little old ladies. But these were always documented and cleared with supervision ("How old is this one?"). But the first thing I looked at was their claim history.
One thing I will mention on parts is this. Some shops will try to price match a part to equal the cost of a used or aftermarket part. With the Fusion, a Ford dealer will be able to do a better job of price matching the a GM dealer or an independent shop. Let's say a rear bumper cover costs $300 retail. It may cost the Ford dealer $240. If an aftermarket cover is $250, the Ford dealer will still make $10. A GM dealer may be charged cost plus 10% ($264.00). A GM dealer would not be able to match the price without playing with the numbers (an overall parts discount or other such book cooking). The same is true with an independent shop. Some will work with this and others may not. Of course if that $300 cover is available for $125 as an aftermaeket part, there is just about no way to compete with that price. It depends on the part cost and mark-up. Just something to keep in mind. An overall parts discount can be used by the shop to entice an adjuster to use a new part vs an aftermarket or used part.
One other thing. Keep in mind that a used part typically must be the same year or newer. In other words most insurance companies will not put an '07 part on an '08 car. This limits the pool of available parts. And how much corrosion can there be on another '08 car? Is there really a difference between a used tail lamp from an '08 Fusion and a new one from the Ford dealer? It's plastic. A collision shop will not put a piece of junk on a customers car. If the used part came in all scratched up, it gets sent back.
Now when I worked at AAA, I had a bit more freedom. We were told we could do whatever we wanted provided that we put it in writing in the computer and justify why we did what we did. I fixed total losses (per the customers request), occasionally padded a total loss settlement or replaced a damaged windshield when it wasn't a part of the loss. I was a sucker for little old ladies. But these were always documented and cleared with supervision ("How old is this one?"). But the first thing I looked at was their claim history.
One thing I will mention on parts is this. Some shops will try to price match a part to equal the cost of a used or aftermarket part. With the Fusion, a Ford dealer will be able to do a better job of price matching the a GM dealer or an independent shop. Let's say a rear bumper cover costs $300 retail. It may cost the Ford dealer $240. If an aftermarket cover is $250, the Ford dealer will still make $10. A GM dealer may be charged cost plus 10% ($264.00). A GM dealer would not be able to match the price without playing with the numbers (an overall parts discount or other such book cooking). The same is true with an independent shop. Some will work with this and others may not. Of course if that $300 cover is available for $125 as an aftermaeket part, there is just about no way to compete with that price. It depends on the part cost and mark-up. Just something to keep in mind. An overall parts discount can be used by the shop to entice an adjuster to use a new part vs an aftermarket or used part.
One other thing. Keep in mind that a used part typically must be the same year or newer. In other words most insurance companies will not put an '07 part on an '08 car. This limits the pool of available parts. And how much corrosion can there be on another '08 car? Is there really a difference between a used tail lamp from an '08 Fusion and a new one from the Ford dealer? It's plastic. A collision shop will not put a piece of junk on a customers car. If the used part came in all scratched up, it gets sent back.
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Swifster
Forum Member
Carl, sorry. I meant to say Mike Savoie (changed above). I was in a hurry to catch the fight that I didn't see (my buddy had a problem with the cable company and the picture kept freezing up
). It's been 4 or 5 years since I was in there, but I never had a problem.
Bishop
Club Member
It only has 7000 miles on it and is 5 months old. Thanks for the advice.
Swifster
Forum Member
With that age and mileage, I'm sure you'll get all OEM. Just tell the shop representative where ever you go what your preference is so that it's relayed to the adjuster. But if what I was told is correct, you shouldn't have a problem.
With the car being rear ended, make sure they do a four wheel alignment. Some small details can be overlooked with Progressive
.
slickstang
Club Member
Car is completed, thanks for the business. Sorry it took a whole day and a half
next time i will try to make it faster
Swifster
Forum Member
:nono: SLACKER!
A good shop would have completed that job in only a day, paid for their Cadillac rental car and bought them dinner Charley's Crab! Why such poor service???
Just kidding. It couldn't have been too bad. Just a bumper?
Bishop
Club Member
Thanks for the quick service and great job, her car looks like new. Anything in the future will definitely go your way.
Thanks again,
Greg